Hot Designer Alert! CHRONICLES OF NEVER (Australia)

Australian designer Gareth Moody is a name likely to trigger the memory for his part in fashion's bad boy trio, Tsubi/Ksubi. In 2005, Moody left Ksubi to forge his own path with Chronicles of Never.
Marking a departure from the rock-n-roll canon of Ksubi, Chronicles of Never derives both its name and aesthetic from - but of course - Neverland, a fake reality, and the dream-like state and ‘other-worldliness’ one associates with such a concept. As Moody describes it, Chronicles of Never is " loosely based upon mathematics and heavily influenced by architecture and geometrics, big manga dreams and a love for industrial material".

In the initial stages of launching Chronicles of Never, Moody had a ‘non-compete’ clause in his contract with Ksubi, limiting his ability to create certain clothing items. That has since lapsed, allowing Gareth to apply his knowledge and skills to fully develop Chronicles of Never into a mainstay fashion line, with men’s and (newly launched) women’s ranges, bespoke shoes, and a highly-praised collaboration with Graz Eyewear (the label of Graeme Mulcahy, another former Ksubi alum). Judging by the support from fans and admirers, the ongoing success of Chronicles of Never is definitely no fake reality.


In keeping with the label's sensibilities, Chronicles of Never eyewear plays with colour or rather lack of color. The frames tend to use dark tones - black, and tortoise, with gradient or darkly tinted lenses, and strong geometric styles. Edgy and sophisticated, there is something very grown-up about these unisex sunglasses -- a mood that subtly says "don't screw with me". Each frame is a LIMITED EDITION, so don't wait too long!
(RRP £229 ~ £275)

KAREN WALKER EYEWEAR (New York)

What's the one must-have Summer item? Beach home, fast car, luxe yacht? Nope. It's statement sunglasses - specifically, Karen Walker's statement shades. Indeed, few things really make a statement like a bold pair of Karen Walker's somewhat unusual but definitely distinctive eyewear. '80s avant garde, oversized glamazon, tastefully chunky, quirkily round -- take your pick, these cool unisex sunnies are just the Summer fashion fix you've been hankering for.

KAREN WALKER
New Zealand-born, New York-based Karen Walker has a reputation for designs "that provide a means of appearing cool but not trying too hard". A reoccurring theme in her work is taking extremes and pushing them together -- masculine and feminine, tailored and street, luxury and non-luxury, dark and super-cute. Karen Walker's creations celebrate the anti "it girl" -- characters like Ally Sheedy's heavy-fringed weirdo in 'The Breakfast Club', not the beautiful girl in the room, but the interesting one. These extremes reflect particularly heavily in her eyewear collection as an ongoing reference.

ELIZABETH AND JAMES Sunglasses

It's the Monday morning after Christmas, how are you doing?
If you’re planning on heading into work with a wicked hangover, let us respectfully recommend these Elizabeth and James options for hiding your identity and keeping a low profile from your boss and coworkers :-)
It does seem a little surprising that two ladies who practically started the over-sized, bug-eyed, hide-your-entire-face-behind-designer-shades trend a few years back is only just now launching their own line of sunglasses, but better late than never, right?
To start with, the collection will be comprised of just two unisex styles: the Fairfax, inspired by the trendy cat-eye silhouette, and the Hudson, based on by the classic aviator shape. Both are created out of acetate, high-nickel and stainless steel.
For those who like pieces not seen everywhere and anywhere, the Olsen twins are kicking off the launch with a Limited Edition style fitted with… wait for it… 24K gold mirror lenses. (Talk about a gilded life!)
Now you’re all set to block out the sun with these fashion-forward sunnies, which have the added bonus of allowing you to nap on the job unnoticed, post-festivities.
(RRP US$185 ~ US$375)

LINDA FARROW EYEWEAR - Part 2

Although a clothing designer by trade, Linda Farrow knew that eyewear was just as important to the outfit as the outfit itself -- which was why she asked her optician husband to help create a range of sunglasses. That foresight has been key to the accessory’s functional SPF status being elevated to new style-centric heights.

• From Linda Farrow Luxe, the luxurious line which strives for timeless design and uncompromising quality, all the metal parts on this quality pair are, incredibly, made from titanium coated in white gold.
Perfect for your lazy “lounging-by-the-pool” days or anytime youfeel like lifting your look with a jolt of luxe.
(RRP US$540)


• Okay, so you might not know about Peter Pilotto. Well, this London label has been around for a couple of years, and there are actually two heads behind the scene: Peter Pilotto himself, an Austrian who graduated from the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp in 2004 and specialises in prints, and Christopher de Vos, an ex-Vivienne Westwood designer. The brand has become the talk of London, and not just because people are beginning to drop the designers’ names. According to style.com, among the current group of young talents who are being mentored in the free studio space of London's Centre for Fashion Enterprise, Peter Pilotto is the one whose sales graph is, against all the economic odds, heading skyward.
The colour combinations on these oversized Peter Pilotto-designed Linda Farrow Projects sunglasses are rare and tremendously effective, and IOHO giving you the perfect pair to wear with a white top.
(RRP: €269.99)

Peter Pilotto (right) and Christopher de Vos (left)

• daviddavid, also known as Chelsea College of Art fine art graduate David Saunders, is a London native of Iraqi descent. He started out as an assistant to “Brit bad girl” YBA artist Tracy Emin, and did not forget his artistic beginnings even after becoming immersed in the world of fashion. Known for his impeccable eye for colour and vibrant graphic motifs, Saunders’ kaleidoscope collection is youthful but confident, comfortable but a bit sophisticated, too, and ticking quite a few boxes that folks like M.I.A., Daisy Lowe and Agyness Deyn are looking for.

The versatility of Saunders’ graphics means he can take his ideas to all ends of the fashion and design spectrum -- like to these high-impact frames with tinted polycarbonate lenses for Linda Farrow Projects. The delightful geometric patterned enamel detailing will definitely give a fresh energy to your style.
(RRP £150.00)


daviddavid’s Spring video from a year ago is a mélange of brightly patterned tops and leggings choreographed to the rich strong sounds of Santogold’s “I’m a Lady” (Diplo mix ft. Amanda Blank). Just the right dose of brightness to cheer us out of post-World Cup funk!

LINDA FARROW EYEWEAR - Part 1

Iconic eyewear maker Linda Farrow’s collections seem to be forever expanding:-

1. Linda Farrow Luxe, designed by Simon Jablon (son of the late Linda Farrow) and partner Tracy Sedino, is all about being uncompromisingly luxurious with materials of the highest order.

2. Linda Farrow Collaborations is created together with the highest echelons of the fashion brigade: Alexander Wang, Yohji Yamamoto, Raf Simons, Dries Van Noten, Veronique Branquinho, and Eley Kishimoto among them.

3. Linda Farrow Projects is where the brand pairs up with younger designers and celebrities, allowing emerging talents like Peter Pilotto, daviddavid, Jeremy Scott, House of Holland, Gaspard Yurkievich and more to develop and showcase their creativity.

Under # 2 (Linda Farrow Collaborations), the list of guest designers now reads like a 'Who's Who' of fashion. The resulting fantasy shades are so cool, you'll be halfway tempted to wear them round the clock, rain or shine!
(Many of the models are unisex.).

• These wayfarer-shaped zipper frame sunglasses by Alexander Wang for Linda Farrow Collaborations are topping fashionista lists all over the globe.
(Just last month, Wang’s success in creating sharp and stylish accessories that belie their casual appearance won him the coveted 2010 CDFA Swarovski Award for Accessory Design.)
(RRP €285.00)

Nicky Hilton is one socialite who was instantly wooed by the zipper shades. (Her mini duffel bag is, of course, also by Alexander Wang.)

• The Yohji Yamamoto x Linda Farrow Collaborations limited edition, unisex sunglasses collection, named “Prototype”, is an expression of the functional, unadorned nature of industrial prototyping -- a phase of manufacturing which precedes mass production.
With retro-inspired pick-pointed square frames and sexy gradient lens, these Prototype shades have that dramatic style without looking too exaggerated. A definite appeal to someone seeking an audience :-)
(RRP €300.00)


• Creative director of Jil Sander and his own eponymous lines, Belgian-born Raf Simons is one of the most influential menswear designer of the last decade. As a key figure of “Antwerp Six”, a revolutionary fashion movement that still holds considerable sway in fashion, his effect on the way young men dress cannot be overstated -- even if he is rather unknown outside the small world of European men's fashion.
Simons’ limited edition collection for Linda Farrow Collaborations includes the ever-irresistible aviator style for the gents. With smokey grey graduated lens and metal arms, nose bar and bridge, these shades embody perfect masculine elegance.
(RRP £165.00)


• Yet another Belgian talent that flies somewhat under the radar in these parts, Dries van Noten is the third generation in a family of garment makers and traders. Between the two world wars, his grandfather reworked second-hand clothes and introduced Antwerp to the concept of ready-to-wear. His father owned stores that sold menswear by Ungaro, Ferragamo and Zegna; at the same time, his mother ran a franchised Cassandre boutique and collected antique lace and linen. Van Noten’s family background virtually ensured that he too was well-placed to become a member of the “Antwerp Six”.
This cat-eyes shades from Linda Farrow Collaborations by Dries van Noten has rounded frames with a deep bridge and wide arms and comes in a host of colours.
(RRP €259.99)

New Eyewear from TOM FORD

Just like good shoes and a great bag, eyeglasses are an excellent way to give your face a big lift and rev up your style. Discover your own movie star allure, hide from the sun, look cooler than you can imagine, and -- for the ladies -- forget about wearing eye makeup behind one of these statement-making sunnies and specs from Tom Ford.

Extravagant with a 60s/70s retro appeal, the oversized Tom Ford “Nico” spells out “sex appeal” all over.
Tom Ford’s latest eyewear campaign stars model Carolyn Murphy and actor Nicholas Hoult (the nerdy 12-year-old from “About A Boy”, now all grown up!).
(Love the tan line.)


Vintage continues to be a major theme in fashion and having directed his first film, the much-praised period-piece “A Single Man”, retro style eyewear is clearly top of mind for Tom Ford.
Perhaps the designer-director was also rather inspired by the mid-20th century heavy black plastic rims worn by the film’s leading man Colin Firth. (Apparently Firth found the vintage glasses at the bottom of a box of props and convinced Ford to let him wear them.)
While Ford’s spectacles collection may be vintage-inspired, the styles are definitely modern with a distinct Tom Ford twist. The attention to detail in each frame, such as the metal inlays in the temple tips that appear to be a letter “T”, and the quality workmanship make these bookish but stylish beauties perfect for showing off your true Clark Kent colours.
(Tom Ford spectacles are unisex.)

KSUBI Eyewear

Sunglasses are like jeans & shoes -- meaning you can never have too many (haha)! Here’s another shades line you must have at this moment: Ksubi.
Founded in 2000 by a collective comprising of rag-tag Aussie surfers, Ksubi quickly grew into Down Under's favourite jeans/streetwear company. Apart from a slight hiccup due to alleged trademark infringement (you can read about it here: "Tsubo sues Tsubi, and Ksubi is born"), the re-christened label has gone from strength to strength. Today Ksubi does more than just ultra-hip denim, making also unisex eyewear that transfers the brand's signature style -- fresh, artistic, with a healthy dose of attitude & humour -- onto your peepers.
The first letter in both 'Ksubi' (as well as its earlier name 'Tsubi') has always been silent, so that 'Ksubi' is pronounced as "soobie" in Australian accents, & "suebee" in the USA.

The brand's eccentric ad campaign (09/10) seems to suggest that no matter what you carry on your head or wear as clothing, Ksubi sunglasses will be the first thing others notice about you.

Some of their designs may be non-traditional looking, but Ksubi eyewear is already quite a cult classic & enjoys a niche following.

Don't you wish this was your sunglasses collection?
Photographer Paul Selby (of The Selby) took pictures of Ksubi co-founder George Gorrow & his wicked workplace in Sydney.